Bhatkal: From the time the Lok Ayukta has started its anti-corruption campaign, the sound of it is being heard at every nook and corner of the state. But the recent reports have revealed that, on the name of Lok Ayukta, some fake people are trying to blackmail the government officials to collect huge sum of money from them.

According to the received information, an unidentified person, who notified himself as Lok Ayukta DYSP, called up the Bhatkal Tahsildar office. Speaking to one officer, he warned him that numbers of complaints were received against him, and if he wants to close the matter without creating any further problems, let him pay the bribe. If not, he would lose his job and will be jailed as well. The fake officer identified himself as DYSP Patil and also provided his bank account number. When the SBI account bearing the number 11484078167 was investigated, it was revealed that the account belonged to some Jyoti Tukaram Nirmale of Shirul Taluka of Kolhapur district. Further investigation disclosed that the money had been transacted into the account from various places.

Sources revealed that the concerned person had wisely tried to create an atmosphere of terror among the govt. officers by getting into contact with the Bhatkal Tahsildar as well as the Assistant Commissioner, ordering them to expulse any corrupt officer from their offices. Taking a step ahead, he also called the Bhatkal MLA JD Naik and asked him for the details about the officers in Bhatkal, thus pressurizing officers from all sides to collect huge sum of money from them by black mailing them.

It is reported that the same person, faking himself as Lok Ayukta official had tried the similar black mailing episodes previously in many districts and had also been punished and jailed in Belgaum for the same. He was recently released and was now trying to target Uttar Kannada district with his tricks.

Speaking to SahilOnline, the Bhatkal ASP Sudheer Kumar Reddy has informed that further investigations were being made regarding the matter.

Sources revealed that the faker had planned a face to face meeting with some of the officers in Bhatkal on Saturday. But as the news about the investigation of fake Lok Ayukta officer by the police came to scene, he called off the meeting and fled away. The police tried to get in touch with him on his cell phone, but it is continuously switched off from Saturday. The police are trying hard to locate the faker.